The King’s first birthday honours list has been announced, with ten Dorset residents named.

Among those receiving an MBE is Marie Boyce, from Poole.

Marie, Customer Services Manager for the Department of work and Pension, has been recognised for her services to Business Transformation.

Fellow Poole resident Michael Straughan has been awarded an OBE

Michael, Executive Consultant to the CEO at Aston Martin Lagonda, is being recognised for services to the British automotive industry.

Another noteworthy inclusion is Nicholas John Varney, Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainments.

Residing in Sturminster Newton, Nicholas is being recognised as Knights Bachelor for his services to the British Economy

The full list of honours from the region is as follows:

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Nicholas John Varney. Chief Executive, Merlin Entertainments. For services to the Visitor Economy. (Sturminster Newton)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Michael Straughan. For services to the British Automotive Industry. (Poole)

Douglas William Scarfe. Chief Executive Officer, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. For services to the Arts. (Poole)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Michael Phillip Anthony McCann. Head of Maintenance Operations, House of Commons. For services to Parliament and to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Weymouth)

Marie Boyce. Customer Services Manager, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Business Transformation. (Poole)

Peter Frank Allam. Lately Chief Executive, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. For services to Sailing. (Poole)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Lucy Jessica Shulker, Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Player. For services to Sport. (Wimborne)

John Anthony Newbold. For voluntary services to Ecological Surveying and Data Collection. (Weymouth)

Paul Colin Kirby. Quality Improvement Adviser, Care Quality Commission. For services to Health and Social Care. (Blandford Forum)

Sandra Margaret Jones. Badminton Coach. For services to Badminton and to the community in Dorset. (Christchurch)

The honours system

The honours system is a system of awards and decorations given to individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements and service to the nation.

The system is divided into several different ranks, each of which has its own criteria for eligibility.

The following are the different ranks within the British honours system:

• Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE) – The highest rank in the British honours system, awarded for “exceptionally distinguished service to the nation”.
• Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE) – A step down from the GBE, awarded for “distinguished service to the nation”.
• Commander (CBE) – A further step down, awarded for “an outstanding contribution to any walk of life”.
• Officer (OBE) – A step down from the CBE, awarded for “an outstanding achievement or service to the community”.
• Member (MBE) – The most junior rank, awarded for “distinguished service to the community”.
• British Empire Medal (BEM) – A step down from the MBE, awarded for “meritorious service to the community”.

In addition to these ranks, there are also a number of other awards and decorations that can be awarded by the British honours system, including:

• Companion of Honour (CH) – A special award for individuals who have made a “major contribution to the arts, sciences, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time”.
• Royal Victorian Order (RVO) – A personal award for services performed on behalf of the Royal Family.
• George Cross (GC) – The highest award for civilian gallantry.
• Victoria Cross (VC) – The highest award for military gallantry.